Breastfeeding Doesn’t Suck

I just discovered this and love it, so I have to share:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SM7Hvjqny4&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3]

10 Reasons Why Breastfeeding Doesn’t Suck
Courtesy of The Bump

1. You’ll feel far less crazy (we promise!)

A study of postpartum mamas found that those who breastfed their babies showed far less anxiety and more mutuality at one month postpartum than those who didn’t.

2. It lowers the risk of childhood cancers

One study found the risk of childhood cancer in formula-fed children was 2-8 times that of long-term breastfed children. The risk for short-term formula feeders was 1-9 times that of long-term breast feeders.

3. …And breast cancer in mamas!

Get this: If women who breast fed for less than 3 months were to stick it out for 4 to 12 months, breast cancer among parous premenopausal women could be reduce by 11%. And if they stayed with it for 24 months or longer, those risks could be reduced by nearly 25%.

4. Smart kids rule

Studies show that breastfed babies have significantly higher IQs by 8 years old than babies who didn’t breastfeed — even after adjusting the stats for differences between groups and Mom’s educational and social class.

5. You could save on braces

The longer you breastfeed, the lower the liklihood that baby will suffer from malocclusion — aka a fancy word for misalignment of the teeth and dental arches.

6. It cuts down on childhood obesity

Breastfeeding has long been tied with reducing the rate of childhood obesity, regardless of Mom’s diabetes or weight status.

7. Allergies and ailments are no biggie

Respiratory wheezing, influenza, diarrhea, allergies, and eczema are way less common in breastfed babies — think about all those trips to the doc you won’t have to make!

8. It saves lives — and government money!

If just 90% of US mamas breastfed exclusively for 6 months, not only would an estimated 900 babies live, but the United States would save $13 billion per year. (Yep, $13 BILLION.)

9. Oh, and it’ll save you a ton of cash, too

Believe it or not, formula supplies for just six months can cost upwards of $1,000.

10. You’ll fit into your skinny jeans faster!

Breastfeeding burns an average of 500 calories a day. Yes, really. Need we say more?

—Because it’s that good, I’ll say again that I love this!!  I’ve been super busy this week with a lot of things and my visiting family, but promise a real post tomorrow.